Breen remembered at WRC Rally Croatia

Craig Breen’s memory was honoured at the WRC Rally Croatia opening day, with teams and drivers shedding tears in an emotional pre-shakedown tribute.

The teams gathered as a special tribute video was played in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, with Breen’s own words accompanying the vision, as Hyundai’s third i20N that Breen last drove to a podium in Sweden was parked infront of the teams and drivers.

“Don’t forget to enjoy it, don’t forget to have fun…of course it’s competition, and there’s pressure, but you’re one of the most lucky people in the world to get to drive in the World Rally Championship. You have to have fun, life is very short.”

Those were the words of Breen from his car at a previous event, as teams and drivers broke down in a fitting tribute to the beloved Irishman.

Both Hyundai drivers, who are carrying a special livery for the occasion, were visibly emotional following the opening stanza, with Esapekka Lappi shaking from the experience.

Breen’s Hyundai teammate, Thierry Neuville, drives through the Zagreb forest carrying the teams tribute livery. Image: Red Bull Content pool

Fellow Hyundai driver Thierry Neuville had this to say following the Shakedown:

“We are all very sorry for what happened. It’s going to be a tough rally for everybody but as a team and as a rally family we need to be strong and keep going,” Neuville spoke. 

“That is what Craig would have wanted.

“I have many great memories but I think we will remember Craig as somebody who lived his dream 110%, who achieved his goal in life by getting into the WRC and driving the fastest cars in the world.”

The Irish Rally crews stand next to the last car that Breen drove in competition at Rally Sweden. Image: Red Bull Content Pool

Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera topped the Shakedown timings, and he had this day following the session:

“I think the most important thing is that everybody is here to drive for Craig. That’s the goal for the weekend.”

It was a hard decision for the WRC to go ahead with Rally Croatia, only doing so on the advice of Breen’s family, and Breen’s surviving co-driver James Fulton.

Lappi sports the Hyundai i20N tribute livery during the opening shakedown of Rally Croatia. Image: Red Bull Content Pool

Ott Tanak, who came in at P2 ahead of Sebastien Ogier in the shakedown, had this to say when he was asked how he was holding up following the opening stage.

“Myself, I’m doing not so bad. It’s difficult, it’s demanding and it’s so hard for all of us,” Tanak said.

“It’s empty inside and it’s eating us alive. It’s tough, but I promised to give a smile to Jackie (Craig Breen’s mother). We keep going.”

As the winner of Rally Mexico, Sebastien Ogier will lead out tomorrow’s opening eight stages, with the memory of Craig Breen to hang heavy on the minds of all the teams and competitors.

WRC Hyundai driver Craig Breen tragically lost his life in pre-event testing for Rally Croatia

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